BACHIAN (Dutch Batjan)  , one of the Molucca Islands, in the residency of Ternate, Dutch East Indies, in the Molucca Sea, in 0013'–0055' S. and 127°22'–128°E With its subordinate islands, Mandioli, Tawali and others, it lies west of the southern peninsula of the island of Halmahera or Jilolo, and has an area of 914 sq. m . It is of irregular form, consisting of two distinct mountainous parts, united by a low isthmus, which a slight subsidence would submerge . The island is in part of volcanic formation, and the existence of hot springs points to volcanic activity . There are, however, especially in the southern portion, ancient and non-volcanic rocks . The highest elevation occurs at the south of the island, the mountain of Labua reaching 6950 ft . Coal and other minerals have been discovered . A large portion of the island is richly wooded, and sago, cocoa-nuts and cloves (which are indigenous) are abundantly produced . Bachian is remarkable as the most eastern point on the globe inhabited by any of the Quadrumana, a black ape occurring here as in Celebes . The island is very rich in birds and insects . The interior of the island is uninhabited and none of the dwellers on the coast are indigenous . They consist of the Sirani or Christian descendants of the Portuguese, of Malays, with a Papuan element, Galela men from the north of Halmahera, immigrants from Celebes, with some Chinese and Arabs . The total number of inhabitants is about 13,000 .

The

chief village, called Amasing by the in-habitants, but also called Bachian, is situated on the west side of the isthmus . Bachian is the most important island of a group formerly governed by a sultan, but since 1889 by a committee of chiefs under the control of a Dutch conlroleur . From 1882 onwards a Batjan company attempted to exploit the island, but unsuccessfully, owing to a deficient knowledge of the soil and its capabilities and a lack of labourers . BACK-BOND, or BACK-LETTER, in Scots law, a deed qualifying the terms of another deed, or declaratory of the purposes for which another deed has been granted . Thus an ex facie absolute disposition, qualified by a back-bond expressing the limited nature of the right actually. held by the person to whom the disposition is made, would constitute what in England is termed a deed of trust . BACK-CHOIR, RETRO-CHOIR, a space behind the high altar in the choir of a church, in which there is, or was, a small altar standing back to back with the other .